‘Re-Animator: Evolution’ In Development, Will Be ‘A Remake of Sorts’ of the Original

The new film will be directed by Serge Levin and star Johnathon Schaech.

“Re-Animator” is a 1985 comedy sci-fi film based on the H.P. Lovecraft story “Herbert West, Re-Animator” and directed by Stuart Gordon. For those unfamiliar with the plot, the movie centered around a medical student (Jeffrey Combs) who brings his headless professor back from the dead with a special serum. Rumors of a sequel have been circulating the web and now, thanks to Bloody Disgusting, a new “Re-Animator” film has been confirmed.

According to the site, the feature is titled “Re-Animator: Evolution” and is currently in development with Serge Levin directing from a screenplay he co-wrote with actor Johnathon Schaech.

“Our adaptation is a modern rendition of Herbert West – ‘Reanimator’ by H.P. Lovecraft,” Levin told Bloody Disgusting. “Moreover, we’re making sure that the spirit and the story elements are more loyal to the original written material of H.P. Lovecraft. It’s much darker, more thought provoking, and definitely more grounded in science than the first adaptation. It will be a true horror film with some neat sic-fi layers.”

“Evolution” will follow an ambitious neuroscientist, who is pursued by the police after he uses a neutrino impulse to bring his dead wife back to life, which unintentionally unlocks within her super powers that threaten the existence of everyone.

“Staying more true to the short story, we will have Major Eric Moreland Clapham-Lee, as one of the characters from the original written material,” Levin added. “Many other story and character elements that I don’t want to reveal yet…resonate with the H.P. Lovecraft’s original vision.”

Schaech is set to play Herbert West, Levin will portray his assistant and “Insidious” actress Lin Shaye and Brad Dourif are also confirmed to co-star. Isle Empire Pictures is behind the production of “Re-Animator: Evolution.”

“Re-Animator” made over $2 million in North America, on an estimated$900,000 budget. It was followed by “Bride of Re-Animator” in 1990 and “Beyond Re-Animator” in 2003. It also became a musical on Broadway in 2011.